Five controversial but least debated topics of the Draft NEP 2019

August 15 was the last date for submission of suggestions and comments on the Draft NEP 2019. Though debated profusely but the participants of the discourse seem to have really missed some points in the Draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 that if implemented could cause serious problems for the stakeholders. Besides, some crucial issues of education policy were not even mentioned in the policy.

The Draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 has been one of the most publically debated documents in India before being put in the form of a bill for consideration of the Parliament. In this two and half month of discourse and professionals and citizens from different backgrounds including academicians, researchers, educators, journalists, politicians, scientists etc put their views and counterviews on recommendations of the Draft NEP through various media. However, some highly controversial issues of the policy were either ignored or not debated at length. In addition, some of the crucial issues of education though much debated in the public, were not even mentioned in the policy. Here we present 5 such issues.

1. Private Schools will not use the word 'Public'

Though the dictionary meaning of the word 'public' means 'funded by the government exchequer', a good number of private schools/school chains in India use the term 'public' in their names. The famous ones are – Delhi Public School (DPS). It has a chain of over 500 schools with some in 11 foreign countries like UAE, Bangladesh, Ghana and Uganda etc. Similarly, the Frank Anthony Public School, Bal Bharti Public School etc. According to CBSE, affiliation website about 6,089 of the 21,606 schools under their jurisdiction use the term 'public' in their names.

The recommendation P8.3.2. of the Draft says - the private schools will no longer be allowed to use the term 'public'. It states "private schools will not use the world public in their names in any communication, documentation or declaration of status. This change will be affected by all private schools within three years. 'Public Schools' be only being those that are funded publically, i.e., government schools (including the schools run by a body of the state) and government-aided schools". If implemented in its letter and sprint, several schools will have to shun the word public from their names and change the documents and communication. Those enjoy a brand image for having the word 'public' would be the ultimate suffers. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing trend of using the term 'international' by private schools as part of a status symbol. In either case, the implementation of this provision would stroke some controversies.

2. Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for children versus 'Screen Time'

The policy strongly recommends the use of information technology and internet from school education to higher education including curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. It clearly directs the schools for online assessment and examination at all levels once they are done with computerization (P4.9.3.). Furthermore, the recommendation P4.10.5 states, "once internet-connected smartphones, tablets are in the hands of all students, online quizzes, competitions, assessments, enrichment materials and online communities for interests will be developed to enhance all the education-related activities. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in school education has been emphasized in several places such as – P5.2.1. and P5.3.4. etc. The recommendations related to online educational activities were largely applauded and put in the form of news without going through proper debate. The Draft NEP has also suggested the minimum age for admission in schools should be 3 years.

However, the recent studies by World Health Organizations (WHO) suggest serious health and socio-psychological hazards due over exposure to 'screen'. In such a recent study, the WHO's medical professionals recommended zero or less than an hour a day in front of a screen for children below 5 years. The study expresses serious concerns that in the USA 42% of the kids have access to their own tablet device. Furthermore, YouTube has already said their services are not intended below the children of 13 years but it is more popular in this age group. Another study reveals that the number of children below 13 years seeking spectacles has doubled. There are several such studies from developed countries and the internet is filled with suggestions.

Besides, screen-based smart classes several playschools, pre-primary schools, and private schools in India have already started giving 'homework' on the internet. They either email the home work or post it on What's Up or ask the parents to download from their websites or shared links. These compulsory screen seeing has increased the 'screen time' manifold than that recommended by the WHO. Besides, the children also devote significant time for entertainment on YouTube etc. In our colonial habits of following the West, are we heading towards the same disaster? The future is really frightening.

3. Fast Food and Junk Food

The easy availability of junk foods inside school canteens and around the campus and high consumption of junk food among school-going children have been serious concerns of the doctors, health activists and even judiciary. Despite clear directions by the Delhi High Court to include the awareness about junk food as part of the curriculum, the Draft NEP 2019, did not include even a single word on this issue. The several guidelines of the High Court related to the advertisement, labelling, and regulation of junk food for children have been achieved.

4. Weight of School Bags

The heavy school bag packs for children have been a serious concern of parents and also the doctors for being health hazards. According to various medical studies the heavy school bags, particularly imposed by private schools, cause skeleton deformities among school-going children.

A central government order to Union Territories (UTs) of the country in 2018 was seen as a big relief but the order was voluntary for state government and the UTs having assembly like NCT Delhi. Though there is no effective supervisory mechanism from CBSE or NCERT, the state governments did not adopt this law. The Draft NEP, through bulky with 484 pages, could not find space even to mention a single line on this issue related to the health of children.

5. Downward Examination Pressure

The Draft NEP recommends to abolish board examination from class 9 to 12 and makes the semester system mandatory. Here the NEP argues to relieve the children from the exam-phobia. However, in the same Draft, the NEP recommends census examination for classes 3, 5 and 8 (P4.9.4). Now the children as young as 8 years will have to face the examination. This process will be valid for children at 10 years and 13 years but not for 15 years and 17 years.

The private schools are far ahead. In several playschools and private schools of Delhi/NCE that may be in the other parts of the country, week-long written examinations are conducted by the schools for students in the LKG and UKG. These kids are graded and certificates are also awarded. These private school parade the LKG/UKG children in the wardrobes as are adorned by graduates in universities during convocations.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the personal views of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)